This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6034335.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
India appeal against child labour India tightens child labour laws
(about 4 hours later)
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has urged Indians to support his government's efforts to end child labour. A new law in India bans children under 14 from working as domestic servants or on food stalls.
He was speaking on the eve of a new law banning children under 14 from working as domestic helps or in food stalls. It also prevents children from working in teashops, restaurants, spas, hotels, resorts and other recreational centres.
The order also bans child workers in teashops, restaurants, hotels, spas, resorts and other recreational centres. PM Manmohan Singh has urged Indians to support his government's efforts to end child labour. People found breaking the law could face two years in prison.
According to official estimates, India has more than 12.6 million child workers, many of whom are employed in the food and hospitality sector. India has more than 12.6 million child workers, many of whom are employed in the food and hospitality sector.
'Firm action''Firm action'
In his appeal, Mr Singh says: "Our nation has solemnly pledged that children in our country are not engaged in any form of work at the cost of their right to education. In his appeal, on the eve of the law coming into force on Tuesday, Mr Singh said: "Our nation has solemnly pledged that children in our country are not engaged in any form of work at the cost of their right to education.
"As a major step in this direction, I call upon each one of you to stop employing children as workers and actively encourage children to join schools.""As a major step in this direction, I call upon each one of you to stop employing children as workers and actively encourage children to join schools."
The prime minister warned that "the government will take firm action against those violating the law".The prime minister warned that "the government will take firm action against those violating the law".
Many factories where children work are hidden from public view
Officials say the ban on employing children in homes and roadside food stalls will affect 255,000 children.Officials say the ban on employing children in homes and roadside food stalls will affect 255,000 children.
But activists say these numbers could be as high as 20 million.But activists say these numbers could be as high as 20 million.
A senior official in the Labour Ministry, SK Srivastava, says "the Technical Advisory Committee on Child Labour regularly surveys the risk factors involved in any industry and depending on our findings we have taken this decision". A senior official in the Labour Ministry, SK Srivastava, said: "The technical advisory committee on child labour regularly surveys the risk factors involved in any industry and depending on our findings we have taken this decision."
The committee, while recommending the ban, warned that children under 14 were vulnerable to physical, mental and even sexual abuse.The committee, while recommending the ban, warned that children under 14 were vulnerable to physical, mental and even sexual abuse.
Laws 'ineffective'Laws 'ineffective'
Mr Srivastava said that anyone found violating the ban would be penalised under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act of 1986.Mr Srivastava said that anyone found violating the ban would be penalised under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act of 1986.
Punishment could range from a jail term of three months to two years and/or a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 rupees ($225 to $450).Punishment could range from a jail term of three months to two years and/or a fine of 10,000 to 20,000 rupees ($225 to $450).
But child rights activists are sceptical about the effectiveness of the ban.But child rights activists are sceptical about the effectiveness of the ban.
They point out that although India bans the use of young workers in hazardous industries, thousands of children continue to work in firecracker and matchstick factories or are involved in carpet-weaving, embroidery or stitching footballs.They point out that although India bans the use of young workers in hazardous industries, thousands of children continue to work in firecracker and matchstick factories or are involved in carpet-weaving, embroidery or stitching footballs.
They say the laws have remained ineffective in curbing child labour.They say the laws have remained ineffective in curbing child labour.
Many parents say crippling poverty forces them to send their children, sometimes as young as five or six, to work in other people's homes or in factories.Many parents say crippling poverty forces them to send their children, sometimes as young as five or six, to work in other people's homes or in factories.
Most of these children are made to work in unhealthy conditions for long hours and paid poorly.Most of these children are made to work in unhealthy conditions for long hours and paid poorly.